Warcry

Elois pointed at Bedell. “Aurora was arguing with the man, saying that she did not wish to marry that stripling over there. But the man gripped her shoulder and demanded that she obey him.”
    Bedell’s face grew red, and he opened his mouth as if to argue, then thought better of it.
    Elois shrugged. “When Aurora saw us standing by, she broke away and wrapped her arms around my legs, crying, begging for help. When I understood that the Xyians were forcing a bond upon her, I hied her off in order to protect her.”
    “Were swords drawn?” Keir rumbled in the language of the Plains.
    “They were,” Elois acknowledged in the same language. “But not ours, Warlord.” She flicked her glance over to Korvis and his son, then gave Keir an apologetic look. “They are not very good with them, Warlord.”
    A ripple of laughter, then, among the Plains warriors, but Lara held up a hand before any Xyian could protest. “The Overlord inquires as to the use of force. Lord Korvis, was blood spilled in this incident?”
    “No, Your Majesty.” Lord Korvis clearly wished there had been by the look he gave Elois. “These warriors must be punished for—”
    “No.” Lara cut him off. “No one in this kingdom need fear being punished for trying to aid a child.”
    Lord Korvis pressed his lips tight.
    “Aurora?” Lara turned to the group of Plains warriors.
    The girl stepped out from between the women and stared at the Queen with wide eyes. She remembered her manners and dropped into a clumsy curtsey.
    “Aurora, what say you?” Lara asked.
    Aurora drew herself up. “I don’t want to marry him, Warprize. I want to ride and hunt and play with my dogs, but Mama says I can’t. I have to be a lady.” Aurora screwed her face up. “And Careth is mean, and I don’t like him.”
    That stirred Careth, who glared at the little girl. “Brat,” he said.
    “Pock-face.” She glared right back.
    “Aurora,” her father stepped forward, his hand spread as if in apology. “It’s a good marriage, Aurora. With Lord Korvis’s aid, our trade will grow and prosper. And you will be a noble lady, with a fine house and servants to care for you.” He drew himself up. “It is an excellent marriage, Aurora.”
    “But I’d have to live with him,” Aurora wailed. “I want to stay with you and Mama.” The tears were coming now, and Aurora sniffled and wiped her nose with her sleeve.
    Elois reached down and put her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “This one is not ready to leave the thea’s tent,” Elois said, giving Bedell a steady look.
    Lord Korvis responded angrily. “We are not monsters, Firelander. The marriage would not have been consummated. Aurora would have come to live with us, that is our way. The business matters would have gone forward, but the other . . .” he hesitated. “The other matters would have been delayed until later.” Korvis glanced at his surly son, and Heath felt a twinge of sympathy for the man.
    “It is not our way to sell our children into bondings,” Elois said firmly.
    Both Korvis and Bedell went white with rage, and the entire audience stirred. Korvis sputtered, his hand going to his sword hilt. Heath tensed, ready for—
    “Hold,” Lara’s voice rang through the throne room. She lifted her head, looking around the room, waiting for everyone to settle. It took a moment and ended in an uneasy quiet.
    “Elois, it is not the Xyian way to sell children,” Lara corrected her. “But it is the tradition of Xy to arrange the marriages of our young people to benefit them and their families. It is a tradition that has served us well in the past and will continue to do so in the future.” Lara paused and gave Korvis and Bedell a considered look. “However, in the future, the consent of the young people will be required. If it has not been honored in the past, it will be so now. I decree that no marriage is to go forward without the consent of the couple, freely given before neutral witnesses.”
    Lara shifted on the throne, placed a hand on her belly, and took a deep breath through her nose. Heath kept his smirk off his face.
    She let the breath out slowly and then continued. “The two families are of Xy and follow the traditions of Xy. The arranged marriage has long been planned, with business agreements that will be strengthened by the blood ties. The Crown will not interfere in those matters. The betrothal stands.”
    Smiles started to spread over the faces of Korvis and Bedell as the